In 2005 I was invited by Ronan Wilmot to make a documentary about the re-staging of The Tailor & Ansty. Returning the story to Gougane Barra, a village in the West of Cork where the tailor, Timothy Buckley and his wife Ansty once lived. This was the first performance since 1975. In 2013 The Tailor & Ansty returns to Dublin’s Viking Theatre for a second year, with the show running until December 7th there’s still plenty of time to book a seat or two … if you happen to catch up with the Tailor can you pass on a message from me … ‘I was just thinking’ …
"First produced in The Abbey Theatre in 1967 with the great Eamon Kelly as The Tailor and Brid Lynch as his wife Ansty. Now, Ronan Wilmot and Ena May play the roles of this innocent charming couple who lived in their small cottage on one acre and one cow. Enjoy this unique true story of rural life"
The Tailor And Ansty – Viking Theatre @ the sheds
Written by Eric Cross
Adapted by PJ O Connor
Performed by Ronan Wilmot & Ena May
When published in 1942, The Tailor and Ansty was banned by the Censorship Board after 3 days of heated debate in The Seanad.
Tickets: €10
Bookings: 087-1129970
When published in 1942, The Tailor and Ansty was banned by the Censorship Board after 3 days of heated debate in The Seanad. The innocent couple were denounced from the altar in their local church.
Three priests came to their cottage in Gougane Barra, West Cork and made The Tailor burn the book in his own fireplace and the cottage was boycotted by neighbours. What offence could cause this tragedy? The Tailor was a seanchai (storyteller) who entertained people at his fireplace with tales of life in the countryside and it’s eccentricities.
Ronan Wilmot with Anne Brogen as The Tailor & Ansty
Victoria Coster : Tales of Transience 